Worrall Wind Update 1 - Society Islands Bound

UTC/Local Time: 0500 6-1/1900 5/31

Latitude: 16 13.450 S
Longitude: 146 10.082 W
Course Over Ground: 240
Wind Direction: ENE 15-21 knots, broad reach, port tack
Sea Swell: 8 feet, 6 seconds from ENE
Sky: 50% cloud
Barometric Pressure: 1017

Day 1 - Society Islands Bound

Update:

Last night was our last in Fakarava. The wind blew with a 20+ knot fury most of the night and it was squally. We got up early and were at the post office by 8:00 exchanging dollars for francs, the boulangerie for chocolate croissants by 8:30, and the Hanani Pearl store by 9:00. Gunther the proprietor of the pearl farm picked us up in his car and drove use about 12 kilometers out of town to the pearl farm. Gunther is a German ex-patriot, married to a Tuomotan. They harvest pearls from their 150,000 oysters, and have two show rooms, one in town and one at the farm. We had a very interesting tour and learned how pearls are seeded, grafted, grown, and harvested. The pearls from Polynesia range in hue from shades of gray, green, and lavendar. Naturally, when the tour was over, we all had to buy some pearls.

We were back on Worrall Wind by noon and and had weighed anchor by 12:20. There was an ebb tide that we wanted to ride out of the pass as it was beginning to slack. We motored through the lagoon at about 6 knots. The current was about 1.5 knots accelerating our outward passage to 7.5 knots. We really loved Fakarava and the friendly people we encountered. It was difficult to leave. By 1:00 p.m. we were out of the lagoon in open water.

It is very dark, warm, and humid tonight. We can see occasional lightening in the clouds to the north. The moon will not rise until much later. The wind is on our port stern and the waves are close together rolling us from side rail to side rail, not comfortable. We have a triple reefed main, reefed jib. The wind almost at our back seems minimal but we are moving 5.5-6.5 knots. On our current course and speed, we should be in Tahiti in 2 days. Russ and I have first watch. It is hard to believe that we left Mexico almost 2 months ago and tomorrow it is the first of June. Garyn and Jessica will only be with us for a few more weeks.

All is well on Worrall Wind.

Worrall Wind Update 3/4 - Tuomotu

Day 3/4 - Fakarava, Tuomotu

Update:

Day 3 - After our dive yesterday, Russ and I took a nice bicycle ride along the paved road of the Atoll. This is my kind of bicycle ride....flat road, beautiful scenery, and an occasional squall to cool us off. There were a couple of hotel-pensions that looked very relaxing, inviting, and expensive (Havaiki and Maitai Dream)that would be fun to come back too. The Maitai Dream Hotel allowed us to get 5000 francs from our credit card.

Garyn and Jess cooked dinner on the boat. Russ and I met up with folks from other yachts (Trim, Beaujolis, Infini, Bamboozle) for dinner at a little snack shack only open on weekends. All the dinners were the same prices of 1200 francs, and we could choose from lemon chicken, raw fish, steak and fries, or chow mien. It was a lot of food for the money and we all had a good time.

Around 3:00 a.m. in the morning, we heard some tooting and woke up to see a huge cargo ship weaving its way through the anchorage to the dock. It came within 10 feet of the back of our boat and scared the #@! out of us.

Day 4 (Sunday) - Jess and Garyn were off on a long bicycle ride to the end of the atoll by 8:00. Church was in session and when Russ returned from taking Garyn and Jessica ashore, church goers, particularly the LDS men were dressed up in shirts and ties. Russ and I stayed on the boat doing some chores and projects (cleaning out the not-working refrigerator, downloading photos and backing up the hard drive, finishing the sail repair, replacing the duck bills in the head pump, and making water). By noon, Russ and I went on shore to the Mother's Day Festival under the covered basketball court behind the primary school. There were probably 30 people in attendance and most of them looked like the organizers (ticket takers, band members, bingo master, artisans) and children. Some of the women had flower wreaths in their hair. A handful of cruisers were buying some of the jewelry and food. We recognized one of the band members as the dive boat driver from the day before. Russ wandered off to look at the booths while I videoed the band. One of the men got out of his chair and came over and kissed me on both cheeks. I think he was wishing me a Happy Mother's Day, but I wasn't really sure. The rest of band were looking quite amused by his greeting. While we were there, I bought a pretty little necklace that one of the artisans had made. It used up the last of our francs. We walked into town after going to the festival. There wasn't a car or bicycle on the road. Everything was closed up tight. Tomorrow, when the post office is open, I think we can exchange a few more $ for francs. By 3:00 p.m. Garyn and Jess had returned from their bike ride.

Within the hour Jessica had climbed the mast up to the first spreader and was helping us to restring our flag halyard. She looked like a circus soleil acrobat. She did a great job. Since we are out of money, we are eating on board this evening. I'm downloading grib files to see if we have favorable enough conditions to leave for Tahiti after our visit to the pearl farm in the morning.

All is well on Worrall Wind.

Worrall Wind Update 2/3 - Tuomotu

Day 2 & 3- Fakarava, Tuomotu

Update:

Day 2: On day 1, Garyn and Jess were the only ones who ventured ashore for about an hour around sunset after the squalls subsided. On day 2, the sun was out, most of the clouds were gone, and the wind had significantly subsided. Russ, the early bird, was just returning from town in the dinghy when we woke up. His back pack was stuffed with two fresh baguettes and 4 chocolate croissants. We sat on the deck enjoying our breakfast with fresh brewed coffee mochas.

After breakfast, Russ and I went ashore for awhile to do some exploring. The land of the atoll is narrow enough that if you stand in the right spot on one of the cross roads, you can see the lagoon on one side and the ocean on the other. The residents of Fakarava live on a very long strip of land only a few feet above sea level. A lovely cement and paved road runs the through Rotoava, the town in front of which we are anchored.

In Mexico, we were always impressed by the Mexican people sweeping, sweeping, sweeping. In French Polynesia, the residents are raking, raking, raking, keeping their gardens and grounds clean from falling coconuts, leaves, and fronds. We made arrangements to go on an introductory dive the following day, and through our friends on Trim to visit a pearl farm on Monday. We talked with the vegetable lady whose stand was barren and she told us the boat was coming later in the day to bring her fresh supplies. We also did a little tide pooling on the ocean side of the reef. The tide was out and we were able to collect some shells and pieces of broken coral.

We bought some cold drinks and returned to the boat. We met some boys near the dinghy dock and talked with them. Russ gave them some of our balloons! They wanted to come on the dinghy with us back to the boat, but we decided that was not a good idea. We didn't want anyone thinking we were kidnapping these children.

Jess and Garyn took the dinghy and bicycles a shore after lunch. They befriended the same young boys we had met at the dock. They wound up giving the boys a ride in the dinghy. The boys then rode with them through the atoll giving them a tour, showing them how to climb and pick coconuts, husk them and drink the milk. They have some cute stories to tell of their adventure with these rambunctious youngsters. Russ and I stayed on board during the afternoon to catch up on some boat chores, including sail repair. About 4:00 p.m., Russ and I went back into town. While we had been on our boat, the big boat from Tahiti passed between us and Trim for the main dock. We hoped that the vegetable lady would be restocked. She wasn't so we will have to return on Saturday morning.

We met up with Garyn and Jessica and all went to dinner at a little restaurant called Teanuanua. There are picnic type table with bench seats on posts in the sand with market umbrellas that flap in the wind. As the tide comes in the table seats go under the water. We sat on the deck as the sun went down. The tide was already in and the seats were already in the water so we decided to stay higher and drier. Jessica and Russ had mahimahi in a vanilla sauce. Garyn and I had steak. It was excellent. Dinner and drinks for the four us came to about $140.00, about $35.00/ea. There is no ATM or bank on this Atoll and we are almost out of Francs. We will need find someplace to take $, debit or credit card. The owner of the restaurant was very pleasant and spoke very good English. He had previously worked at Club Med in Moorea and had probably been there as a security guard or bartender when Russ and I were at Club Med 15 years ago. Russ gave his little five year old niece some balloons. She and some other children of customers had fun batting and playing with the balloons. After a lovely day. We all returned to the boat in the moonlight.

Day 3:
Russ got up early to take a bike ride and to see if the vegetable stand was open (it wasn't) and Garyn worked on the refrigerator this morning. It still isn't working correctly. I've transferred the most perishable foods to the little port refrigerator. By 9:30 a.m. we were in the dinghy and headed for the dive shop. We got outfitted with our dive equipment and then we were off to the reef in the middle of the lagoon. Our introductory dive was fabulous. We were able to see flute fish, pipe fish, reef shark, shrimp, beautiful clams, coral. The time went all too quickly. I was sorry to get out of the water and the last one back on the boat. Russ and I want to do more of this. It was fun and particularly nice because our dive instructors were so great.

Garyn and Jess are on the boat this afternoon while Russ and I search for a place to exchange some $ for francs.

All is well on Worrall Wind.

Worrall Wind Update 6 - Tuomotu Arrived

Day 1 - Anchored in Fakarava, Tuomotu May 27, 2010

UTC/Local Time: 2130/1130 a.m. Tahiti Time

Latitude: 16 03.508 S
Longitude: 145 37.363 W
Course Over Ground: At Anchor
Wind Direction: Southeast 120 degrees, 14 knots
Sea Swell: 0, windwaves 1 foot
Sky: 80% cloud cover, squallish, raining at the moment
Barometric Pressure: 1019 +2, 84 degrees F, 80% humidity

Update:
After 5 days of sailing, we are at anchor in Fakarava, Tuomotu. We had hoped to go to a smaller atoll north of Fakarava first, but at 5:30 a.m. it was decision time, turn into the 25 knots of wind and motor through a squall line and 9 foot seas to reach an atoll with a tiny opening or continue on the same course and try to enter Fakarava by 10:30 a.m. when the conditions might be more favorable. We chose the second option, knowing that we might have to pass this atoll by as well.

A couple of boats, Trim and IO, that had flashed past us during the journey were outside the channel and had been hanging out for slack tide, having made the same decision. We had purposely slowed our speed way down so that we would not have to heave to. It also made an uncomfortable sea more bearable. I think all of us sailors are exhausted from the last 72 hours of sailing, 9-12 foot seas, consistent 20 knots and more of wind, gusts up to 30 knots, and too many squalls to count.

The opening into Fakarava is well marked, and our Nobeltec Navigation system has been very accurate in French Polynesia. Much more so than in Mexico. Considering how we have to weave our way through the coral reef atolls, we are very thankful for the accuracy, particularly at night when we cannot use dead reckoning. Unlike the Marquesas which have huge land masses protruding out of the sea, atolls are flat and the palm trees as we approached looked like they were growing out of the water. We kept very close if not on top of our course line all through the night.

By the time we entered the channel, the wind had subsided to 20 knots, the current coming out of the atoll was only 2 knots, and the wind waves/swell were about 1-2 meters having splashed over and through the coral on the south-south east side. With our motor on and sails down, we followed Trim and IO in. Several of the other Puddle Jump Boats are in this atoll as well.

We are anchored in 48 feet of water. The anchorage is not idyllic calm, but far better than being at sea. We are all glad that we made it in and hope to enjoy this atoll a couple of days before heading to Tahiti. We may attempt some sail repair. During our trip, we lost another Seven Seas Sailing Association Flag overboard when the port flag halyard snapped. The starboard flags are wound up in a roll and will need to be detangled along with the topping lift that just got caught up in our wind generator. The fun never stops. Since we have never been in this neck of the "sea", we don't know whether the wind and sea conditions are the norm or out of the norm due to the southern low/storm and/or El Nino. It's just been a bit more than we expected.

We are all looking forward to a shower in calm waters and a little R & R. Snorkeling and drift diving is supposed to be the best here, so we are looking forward to some time in the water, catnaps, feet on the ground, and fresh baguettes.

All is well on Worrall Wind.

Worrall Wind Update 4/5 - Tuomotu Bound

Day 4/5 - Tuomotu Bound - Ripped sail.

UTC/Local Time: 0100 5/27/1300 5/26

Latitude: 14 52.99 S
Longitude: 144.44.96 W
Course Over Ground: 203 degrees at 4.5 knots
Wind Direction: 14-25 knots 105 degrees Southeast
Sea Swell: 9+ feet, 6 seconds apart
Sky: 40-50% clouds, mini squalls
Barometric Pressure: 1015 steady
Temperature/Humidity: 88 F, 68%

Update:

As we approached yesterday evening, we were determined with the increasing winds and squall threats to get the sails reefed early. We had been traveling from 5.5 knots to 6.5 knots all day and were making good time and were a little reluctant to slow ourselves down. After reviewing our charts and position, we realized that we needed to slow down anyway or we would have to heave to off an atoll and wait for sunrise on Thursday 5/27 before approaching the pass. We needed to be at our 20 mile mark from the atoll by 6:30 a.m. to be ready to pass through at slack tide which we calculate to be around 10:49 a.m. in the morning. We have been told to make a VHF call the morning we arrive to a dive shop in the vicinity and ask for local tide information.

After reading about how treacherous it can be to enter the atolls when the lighting is not good and the tide is not slack, we are approaching our entry very cautiously. As it is, the winds and seas may churn up the water/reef visibility to preclude us from entering anyway. We have already decided that if the winds and seas do not calm down we may pass by the Tuomotus completely, and head straight for Tahiti.

I was downstairs in the galley fixing dinner. Russ, Garyn, and Jess were topside. Russ was at the main and started to bring the sail down to reef position when I could hear Garyn yelling at Russ to stop. By the time Russ heard Garyn over the roar of the wind and stopped bringing the sail down, the little rollers that pinch the sail into the track had acted like a razor ripping about a three foot line between the cord and the sail. Another Oh Crap!

Well that settled whether we double or triple reefed. The ripped sail is not one we can take care of in these conditions, so we triple reefed to protect the part of the sail that had ripped. We rolled out about 1/2 of the jib and left out the mizzen. Even with all of the reefing, we were still sailing at 5.5 knots. As the winds increased to a consistent 18-20 knots, and the seas up to 9 feet, the sail configuration keeps the boat mildly heeled in the wind and moderately heeled with a beam roller. The swells are fairly close together so there has been a lot of rocking back and forth...not comfortable for any of us, but worse for Jess.

Over the course of the night and several passing squalls, Garyn reduced the jib and mizzen even a little more to slow us down. The winds are gusting to 25 + when a gray cloud passes overhead We only have 60 miles to go to our mark and as long as we are going about 4.5 knots we should be there sometime between 5 and 7 tomorrow morning. According to our weather model, the seas should be two feet smaller and wind down to 13 and 14 knots.

Soup for dinner tonight.

All is well on Worrall Wind.

Worrall Wind Update 3/4 - Tuomotu Bound

Latitude: 13.10.5 S
Longitude: 143.23.8 W
Course Over Ground: 215 @ 6.5 knots
Wind Direction: Southeast 105 degrees 14 knots
Sea Swell: 2.5 meters
Sky: 15% cloud cover, horizon line
Barometric Pressure: 1014 and steady

Update:

Last night was probably the most hair raising of all of our nights at sea. All day and into the evening we had less than 8 knots of wind, small seas, and blue skies. Hatches and ports were open allowing for a soft breeze to pass through the boat.

Russ and I had first watch, which technically started at 8:00 p.m., but Garyn and Jess were tired and had gone to bed about 7:00 p.m., so we started a little early. Anticipating stronger winds the following day, I made a big pot of chicken rice soup and spent my early evening in the galley doing some general clean up and stowing for stronger winds. We had made a decision to evaluate whether to keep our gennaker up when we started watch at 8:00 p.m. At 8:00 p.m. we still had light winds and the gribs indicated that these would continue through the night. So we decided to leave the gennaker up and if the wind started to rise we would take it down before it hit 10 knots.

I went on the back deck and in the moonlight took a freshwater shower, enjoying the beautiful evening. It was till about 80 degrees out. After cleaning up, I came back inside the cabin. Russ and I were looking at our route, and maps and keeping an eye on the anomometer. Hydie was steering. The main had one reef, the mizzen was up, and the gennaker was pulling us along with about 6 knots of wind. Garyn and Jess were asleep in the v-berth. The anomometer registered 7 knots, then 8, then 10 and backed down to 8. We looked to see where the wind was coming from and noticed a small black cloud that had formed on our port side. We made a decision to take down the genny, and thought we would do it ourselves without waking Garyn and had just discussed who would do what with a two person manuever. We were putting on our harnesses and life vests when the wind picked up again to 10 knots, then 12. Garyn who could hear the boat speed up in the v-berth came up to see if we wanted some help dousing the gennaker. We said yes and were all preparing to go out when the wind kicked up to 21 knots, filled the gennaker and in an instant we were heeled to starboard taking white water over the bottom rail.

Garyn clipped on to the jackline and went out through the leeward slider door to douse the gennaker. Russ was going to follow out the leeside when we went over further, taking water over the top rail! That was an ugly first. It was horrifying. Garyn was outside standing on the portabote, (on the rail) surfing through the water as the boat was on its side. We always thought the portabote looked like a surf board when folded up. We just never expected to use it as such, but it certainly came in handy as floor when we were tipped sideways. Boy was the adrenalin pumping!

Whitewater poured through the starboard port into the lower saloon soaking the cushions and a torrent gushed through the open slider of the cabin door. Russ was able to close the door against the whitewater to stop the water rush and climb out of the windward side, making his way around the back deck and released the gennaker sheet. I stayed at the helm in the cabin bringing us almost downwind so the gennaker would be behind the main. Garyn was able to sock the gennaker. As soon as we did this the boat righted itself. Jessica closed the leeward hatches to prevent anymore water from coming into the boat, despite her terror of seeing water pour through the door and knowing that Garyn was on the foredeck with the gennaker.

So with in the course of 3 minutes we went from heaven to hell and back. The wind died to 6 knots and once again we were lopping along as we assessed the damage, got our pulse rate back to normal, and licked our wounds. We pulled out the jib 1/2 way, and reefed the main. We didn't care if we were only going 2 or 3 knots, Genny will never again fly after dark no matter how slow we go. In the meantime, the boat IO that we had passed earlier in the day, passed by us with all their sails up and sailed over the horizon. We talked to them on the radio and they too had been hit by the squall, but decided to keep their sails up.

The starboard settee along with the locker behind it was soaked. The water that had poured through the door had fortunately made its way to the bilge. And the bilge pump worked! Yes! One of the containers of chicken soup in the starboard fridge had come open during the knockdown. And when the boat righted itself, chicken broth leaked out the refrigerator onto the galley floor making a slippery mess. We emptied the lockers of wet stuff (games, food, Ipods, other electronic gear), hung things up that needed to dry, and I started to work on the mess in the galley, which required a complete defrost of the refrigerator and sudsy soap down to cut through the chicken soup grease which coated everything in the refrigerator. Jess and Garyn went to bed around 10:00. I finished the defrost at 1:00 a.m. in the morning, just before we went off watch. During the rest of the evening, we kept a close watch on the brewing clouds, but knew that we had the right sail combination up to deal with unexpected winds.

After getting the galley and refrigerator back in shape, the refrigerator would not restart. We'd been having problems with it since Mexico and the last defrost. Now it appeared that maybe some of the saltwater that had come through the port had done a number on the refrigerator's electronics. What a pain. I then had to move over the most vulnerable foods to the secondary refrigerator which fortunately had some room in it. When Garyn and Jess got up for their watch, Garyn started to work on getting the refrigerator working which he finally did the following morning.

Russ and I slid into the midship berth and fell instantly asleep. Garyn and Jess had their hands full on their watch with three additional squalls. Their watch alternated between 6 knots of wind to 25 knots of wind and lots of rain. They wanted to put out more sail, but decided we had all had enough excitement for one night and kept us reefed.

Needless to say, today has been cleanup and dry out day. I think as I write this update we are about 95% back to normal. The wind has picked up today between 12-14 knots. We are on a broad reach, sailing between 5.5-6.5 knots. We are closing the gap between us and IO. Worrall Wind needs 12-15 knots to move well. We are saltier and wiser.

All is well on Worrall Wind.

Worrall Wind Update 2/3 - Tuomotu Bound

Day 2/3 - Tuomotu Bound

UTC/Local Time: 2400/1400

Latitude: 11 57.250 S
Longitude: 142 28.264 W

Course Over Ground: 200
Wind Direction: What wind?
Sea Swell: 1 meter
Sky: 2% clouds, 20 mile visibilty
Barometric Pressure: 1016

Temperature 88 degrees - water about the same.

Update:

We are just dinking (not drinking) along, although that might not be a bad idea. There is so little wind that we are moving anywhere between 0 knots and 3 knots. Our grib files indicate that we should have between 6-10 knots, so today is unusually over stated. Our gennaker - Genny is catching the little bit of wind that we have, which isn't much. She does look pretty and is casting a lovely reddish purple reflection on the ripples on the deep blue sea.

It looks like we might pick up some wind this evening. We are debating whether to turn the motor on and get some distance this afternoon. It's just so beautiful and peaceful right now, but we might be coming to the end of our s...l....o....w threshold. This is slower than the doldrums. We are eyeing the clear blue water and contemplating a swim, but the word shark keeps popping into our discussion.

On our Nobeltec Navigation system there is a console panel that calculates our next way point, based on our second to second change of speed and direction. Our estimated time of arrival right now based on our current speed and wobbling direction, says NEVER. Know that won't last. Hope it is this calm when we try to get into the atolls, but I suspect from the gribs there will be some fairly large swells and 15 knot wind in that area during the next couple of days when we actually reach the vicinity...Wednesday, Thursday, Friday?

Because of the calm seas, I plan to work in the galley a bit this afternoon. I'm thinking lemon chicken and apple pie. I know as soon as I go down, the wind will pickup and start sliding everything from one place to the next. In the meantime, we are kicking back listening to books, reading books, listening to music, working on little projects.

All is well on Worrall Wind.

Worrall Wind Update 1/2 - Tuomotu Bound

UTC/Local Time -10: 1830/0830

Latitude: 10 57.800 S
Longitude:141 33.051 W

Course Over Ground: 217 degrees @ 3.5 knots
Wind Direction: From NE 60 degrees, 4.5 knots
Sea Swell: 8 feet, 8 seconds from NE
Sky: 5% clouds, 15 mile visibility
Barometric Pressure: 1016 up 2 in last three hours
Temperature: 84 degrees, 69% humidity

Update:

We left Marquesas yesterday morning and have been enjoying a beautiful sail. In the last 24 hours we will have traveled over 140 miles, which is fast for us. Sea swells have been mild, around 6 feet from the north east. They got a bit bigger last night and closer together rocking the boat a bit more. The moon was out shining on the waves and reflecting off of white puffy clouds. The stars glittered through. It reminded me of the opening graphics for Dream Works Films.

Russ and I had first watch 7:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. Marquesas time, 1:30 Tahiti time. This should be the last time change for awhile. Jess and Garyn had to the 2:00 - 8:00 shift. Yesterday, the boat IO left early in the morning from Hakatea Bay. We caught their lights in the distance in the pre-dawn hour and have been slowly gaining on them....us gaining on anybody rarely happens, but they are a smaller boat with less sail. We talked with them this morning on VHF radio and they are headed for the same atolls in the Tuomotus that we are. We will most likely pass them within the next hour.

Since noon today, the wind and seas have calmed way down. We passed IO around 10:00 a.m. this morning. They are now on the horizon behind us. We are moving very slowly at 0026/1426. The seas have also settled more. I think Jess is feeling a little better with the calmer sea state.

We are listening to Robin Cook's Chromosome and lounging about. Hot dogs and potato salad for dinner tonight.

All is well on Worrall Wind.

Worrall Wind Update - Marquesas Islands

UTC/Local: 0000/1430

Latitude: 09 20.322 S
Longitude: 140 25.772 W

We spent a fairly peaceful night in Hakatea Bay. Apparently, I slept through a squall that came through in the middle of the night that had both Russ and Garyn up checking the anchor and turning on the radar. This morning after a quick dinghy ride onto the beach where the first Survivor series was filmed, we weighed anchor at 10:00 a.m. When we arrived in the bay the night before, there were two boats anchored, Australia and Endless Summer. When we returned from our hike, there were four new boats, Avante, IO, Mojombo, and a French boat with no name. Australia and Endless Summer had left. By the time we got up, IO had already left. Proximity and Passages were just coming through the pass as we left. We are getting to know quite a few of the boats in the cruising community, most of whom are heading for the Puddle Jump Reunion in Tahiti on June 18.

By 10:25 this morning, we turned off Lehman, raised the sails, and were on a beam reach, port tack for the Tuomotus in 14 knots of wind, doing 6-7 knots. Russ commented that this is exactly how he thought the sailing would be in the South Pacific. We set Hydie (windvane steering system) to work at the helm, and we have just be lounging around as we are being carried by the wind past Ua Pou to the Tuomotus. Our plan is to go to Kauehi Atoll first 15 56.830 S; 145 10.558 W; then to Fakarava Atoll 16 04.916 S; 145 43.000 W. Then we will be on our way to Tahiti. We think Trim, Pincoya, and Endless Summer are leaving today as well for a similar route. We hope to see them along the way.

All is well on Worrall Wind.

Worrall Wind Update 15 - Marquesas Islands

Day 15 - Hakatea Bay, Nuka Hiva, May 21, 2010
UTC/Local: 0530/2000

Latitude: 08 56.626 S
Longitude: 140 09.805 W

We weighed anchor in Taiohae Bay about 9:00 a.m. this morning and headed toward Hakatea Bay, only a couple of miles west. This bay is very difficult to see, and I have to say I was freaking out as we headed straight toward a rock cliff and what looked like breaking surf on a rock. Jessica was at the helm dong a fine job of steering and fortunately taking direction from Garyn and Russ who were relyng on instruments. My visual spatial perception is seriously askew. I was ready to turn around and head for the Tuomotus.

We did find the opening to the bay and threaded through what looked like an eye of an needle. We were anchored, lunched, and in the dinghy by 12:00 noon. Hakatea Bay is a very secluded bay. It is often called Daniel's Bay, and is the first location of the Survivor series. The bay has two fingers. We anchored in the right finger, and took the dinghy over to the left finger where we found a fresh water opening into an estuary where we tied up our dinghy before taking our hike.

One of the bay's attraction is the hike to the world's third highest waterfall. The hike was one of the most spectacularly beautiful hikes we have ever been on. After winding our way from the bay back into the spiring cliffs and fording a a couple of streams, we came to a box canyon that spired into the clouds. The trail took us through banana groves, hibiscus forests, and river beds clogged with falling coconuts. At one point while we were resting on the edge of a river bed canopied by trees, the wind began to blow, and coconuts and fruits came crashing down around us. Fortunately we were not hit.

This has been a very dry year in the Marquesas which has significantly reduced the mosquito problem which is a good thing, and also reduced the amount of water coming over the falls, which is a disappointing thing. Nevertheless, the canyon is breathtaking. The photographs we took cannot do it the awe inspiring justice it deserves. At the base of the waterfall is a beautiful fresh water pool which Russ took advantage of. The rest of us, were either not ecstatic about the crawdads and freshwater eels or unwilling to wash off our 100% deet jungle juice. This canyon should be on everyone's bucket list.

The hike took about five hours, two in, one there, two out. We returned to the dinghy which was high and dry in the estuary. We walked it back out into the surf, returned to Worrall Wind for fresh water showers, pineapple maitais, and left over grilled tuna and sauted breadfruit. It just doesn't get much better!

Tomorrow morning we will explore the area in the right finger where the Survivor series took place, and then head for the Tuomotus. We expect to be at sea for at least 90 hours (3-4 days).

All is well on Worrall Wind.